Well... my computer is back together after almost a week of confusing and often tedious work... but I'm FREE at last...
Clever person that I am, I've been operating with a 2013 iMac booting from an external SSD that apparently got a bit wonky and started acting up. It was all confusing. I didn't know whether the LaCie drive was bad, or simply that the OSX operating system had become corrupted along the way. Eventually, I took the computer to Apple who suggested I do a clean install of the operating system which I'd recently upgraded to OSX 10.14.3, Mojave, the latest iteration of the Mac OS. I'd been warned that this upgrade COULD render Adobe Creative Suites 6 unusable, which complicates matters. CS6 is the final stand alone version of these Adobe programs and I'm loathe to head into the Adobe Cloud and pay Adobe each month for the privilege of using their software. CS6 gives me everything I need.
So this has been a week of experimenting to see whether the SSD is useable and how I might be able to keep using CS6. Since the Download manager from Adobe is no longer useable with Mojave, I had to try importing those files from an older version of the OSX. By the end of the process I learned the SSD is still fine and that I was able to migrate all my applications and user folder from another drive. Photoshop is working but so it the other piece of software I rely on... InDesign, which I use to design newsletters for the Living/Dying Project.
Today I tested Lightroom and Photoshop by processing a photo I took on Tuesday from Point Richmond... the San Francisco skyline taken with the 105 f/2.5 P AI and converted in Photoshop with Silver Efex Pro 2. Now I can get back to playing with my computer rather than working on it!
For those here with experience with the legendary cream machine 200mm f/2 ED-IF:
I have a unique chance here in Brazil to get an AI version (not the last one, the f/2N ai-s) for reasonable to "cheap" (Brazilian standarts) USD 1,000.00; condition is not Rafael-like, I woud say between 8+ and 9. I would say I can get even a discount to ~920-950.00.
At ebay, all 3 or 4 I found were above USD 1,800.00.
What do you think?
asiostygius wrote:
Thanks for the replies.
George: Do you have the huge original UV filter in your lens? Is that necessary? I ask because the lens is without the filter.
I did buy a L37C 122mm Nikon filter for it. Mainly because I found one that was not expensive and as some protection for that large chunk of glass. Necessary, probably not, but piece of mind for me on this lens. I doubt I would ever buy the AF VR version. Especially now with the IBIS of the Z.
Nice to know people are still buying manual focus lenses...
You're the man Jose, though it likely pains you not to find a pristine copy of that lens at an affordable price. We all know from the photos you've shared that you have a beautiful as well as extensive kit of lenses. We await your report and photos after you've picked up this lens... IF you do. Good luck sorting it out. Wonderful the quick response you got from Ken and George. This is what friends are for... To help you spend your money...
This one definitely took my breath away Colin. Love everything about it. As Joe mentions, the passing car's lights lead us toward the distant sky, which is quite lovely. For anyone doubting the fact, the D610 is a great performer. We've had a number of folks demonstrate that to us over time. The newer cameras will always attract interest, but often times older gear will give us images to appreciate. Loving what you share on the thread.
Jose, on the newer AF lenses, the rear filter is part of the optical design so it's necessary. Not sure about the 122mm screw in front filter, but I suspect it provides a protection measure too.
asiostygius wrote:
Thanks for the replies.
George: Do you have the huge original UV filter in your lens? Is that necessary? I ask because the lens is without the filter.
A question for the Z6 users out there: what RAW converters are you using?
I went to our local pro camera shop yesterday and had the rental equipment guy shoot a few pics with a Z6. He then loaded the files on a memory card for me to take home and play with. I am not financially ready to take the plunge, but I wanted to make sure that I can use the files that the Z6 produces. I generally shoot RAW and convert in LR5 and do any additional processing in Photoshop CS6. Like Curtis, I don’t intend to be skewered by Adobe’s pay-to-play business model, and the products I have (including InDesign CS3) have met my needs in the past.
As an aside I would add that a friend of mine used to run training seminars for various Adobe products. His stories about Adobe from the perspective of an insider have caused me to lose most of the respect I once had for the company.
Anyway, LR5 obviously will not recognize the Z6 since it predates the Z6 by a number of years. I tried using the latests version of DNG converter to convert Z6 NEF files to DNG, which could then be imported into LR5. But, as expected, there are no Nikon camera profiles, only the Adobe Standard profile which is pretty lame. It would be possible to use the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw on the Z6 files and then open in PS, but ACR is missing significant aspects of LR functionality.
I like the workflow I have with my current cameras using LR5 and PS CS6, so that’s what I’ll probably continue to use as long as I have those bodies. But if there’s ever going to be a Z6 in my future, I’ll need to find a workable RAW converter. Does anybody here have experience with ON1 Photo RAW 2019 or Capture One or anything else you might recommend? I think the Nikon software is a joke.
CGrindahl wrote:
This one definitely took my breath away Colin. Love everything about it. As Joe mentions, the passing car's lights lead us toward the distant sky, which is quite lovely. For anyone doubting the fact, the D610 is a great performer. We've had a number of folks demonstrate that to us over time. The newer cameras will always attract interest, but often times older gear will give us images to appreciate. Loving what you share on the thread.
Thanks Curtis. There was a cold wind blowing that evening and I was tired from a 5am start and 450 mile drive that day. I nearly bailed whilst waiting for darkness to descend but the weather forecast told me this was the only opportunity during my short trip.
I have given the Z camera a lot of consideration of late - but I cannot pull the trigger on one. I have an 'if it ain't broke, don't touch it' mantra and rarely buy into the newest of new tech.
Besides, the early morning / late evening photography that really interests me at the moment relies on a tripod obfuscating the need for IBIS. I should probably put my money towards a top-notch tripod and head - but then again what I have works well enough for me.
My daughter completes her law degree this summer but has signed up for another year do to the obligatory MSc / LPC course. A year from now a new camera will definitely be on the cards.
Ballard wrote:
A question for the Z6 users out there: what RAW converters are you using?
I went to our local pro camera shop yesterday and had the rental equipment guy shoot a few pics with a Z6. He then loaded the files on a memory card for me to take home and play with. I am not financially ready to take the plunge, but I wanted to make sure that I can use the files that the Z6 produces. I generally shoot RAW and convert in LR5 and do any additional processing in Photoshop CS6. Like Curtis, I don’t intend to be skewered by Adobe’s pay-to-play business model, and the products I have (including InDesign CS3) have met my needs in the past.
As an aside I would add that a friend of mine used to run training seminars for various Adobe products. His stories about Adobe from the perspective of an insider have caused me to lose most of the respect I once had for the company.
Anyway, LR5 obviously will not recognize the Z6 since it predates the Z6 by a number of years. I tried using the latests version of DNG converter to convert Z6 NEF files to DNG, which could then be imported into LR5. But, as expected, there are no Nikon camera profiles, only the Adobe Standard profile which is pretty lame. It would be possible to use the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw on the Z6 files and then open in PS, but ACR is missing significant aspects of LR functionality.
I like the workflow I have with my current cameras using LR5 and PS CS6, so that’s what I’ll probably continue to use as long as I have those bodies. But if there’s ever going to be a Z6 in my future, I’ll need to find a workable RAW converter. Does anybody here have experience with ON1 Photo RAW 2019 or Capture One or anything else you might recommend? I think the Nikon software is a joke. ...Show more →
Okay, with my raws from the Z7, I convert to DNG in Iridient X-Transformer then open in Lightroom 5. It is an extra step, but it allows me to keep using LR5 on an old mac pro for which I'm unable to update the OS - thanks Apple - and upgrade LR even if I wanted to. Works fine and is an inexpensive solution that allows me to keep my workflow which includes dropping into Photoshop CS6 after LR5.
Don't know about the others or any LR alternatives and don't care to at this point.
DeltaSigma wrote:
Joe,
Thanks for the comment - and thanks to everyone for the replies to my question.
It would be great to see some pictures from you Joe so don't be shy!
Colin
Would, if I could. Although, I do shoot a bit on a Z7, I haven't been using Nikon lenses. I shoot mainly rangefinder lenses, CV Minolta, and the like. One of the reasons I check out you guys is to see what Nikon lenses might interest me enough to buy. I wish there was a forum for shooting manual lenses only on any system. There isn't is there? I have a couple of Leica lenses and can't even show on the Leica forum 'cause I don't shoot them on Leica cameras. Simply can't seem to fit in, lol.
^^^
This forum also used to be Nikon cameras with Nikon manual focus lens
until it got butchered by allowing freakish abominations of different cameras
Needless to say I am still not happy about it
Had a go at some MF BiF at the bird sanctuary in Mysore using the 180ED and XT1. It was lucky that I didn't have a longer lens because the charge for cameras went up to R5000 for anything over 200mm !!!
Pelicans, Painted Storks, Egrets and Indian Cranes and a Spoonbill or two, all getting ready for mating, breeding plumage and colours and busy collecting nesting materials.
To help you spend your money... 
